Chapter Text
The adrenaline is wearing off, the buzzing that once coated Steve’s skin is replaced by a deep, empty pit that sets him on edge. A small part of the sinking feeling from the jarring driving from Robin and the other huge part of it being from the anxiety of telling you how he feels.
The remembrance of the past several minutes dies as flashes of Robin snatching Steve’s keys and forcefully volunteering on driving this little freak show to the party. The party where you supposedly were. The party where he can finally confess his true feelings.
Nervously picking at his dry lips as he silently thanks the person who created seat belts. The packed car races down the street before whipping quickly into the driveway without a second of slowing down. With the sound of the gear shift locking itself into park and the car doors opening and closing, Steve can’t move. The air escaping his lungs, the buzzing in his head as he just stares out the front window. His eyes tracing the house as the music beats through the walls and the lights strobe out the windows.
The doubt starts to seep in and his mind lands on regret again. What if he is wrong? What if he goes into that party and you end up not liking him? Or worse? Steve’s mind races to all the possibilities of what you could possibly be doing in that house. Instantly shutting his eyes as it fears it may be too late.
Tapping on the passenger windows pulls Steve back to this hell of a reality, desperately wishing he can escape within his mind forever, “Dude, are you coming or what?” Dustin’s voice muffles through the window.
Steve nods his head, a quick exchange of reassuring smiles between the two boys before Steve hesitantly climbs out of the car. Stepping out of his safety net, his only means of escape, but unfortunately Robin stills has the keys and no way in hell would she let him leave without getting his confession off of his chest. Slightly annoyed at having such a good friend.
Robin leads the bunch into the party. Mike and Lucas are in awe as this is their first high school party, lightly elbowing each other back and forth at their excitement. Steve follows closely behind Dustin who every so often sneaks a glance at the older boy. Feeling sorry that this night isn’t going as easy as they all thought it would in Mike’s basement.
Steve takes a final breath before entering through the door, the music beating through his body, enough to increase his heart rate, unsure if it is actually racing from the music or his growing anxiety with each step through the crowded house.
Steve has been to many parties during his high school career, has hosted many parties, yet he feels so out of place. Combing his fingers through his hand as he looks around the rooms, barely recognizing anyone. Barely able to recognize himself when he passes a mirror.
Who is the person he’s become? He used to be so suave around other girls, but you, you were different . Constantly going over the conversations in his head that he shared with you. Nervously fixing his hair in anything that reflects to make it look nice for you. You affected Steve on a physical, mental, and emotional level.
He just couldn’t help but feel this overwhelming warmth towards you. Steve may not admit it now but the feeling of love is definitely coming to mind as he pushes his way through the kitchen. Robin and Steve subconsciously looking for you in the sea of teenagers. While the younger boys can’t help but not be able to take their eyes off of the unfolding scene of girls dancing and drinking.
Steve herds the gang into the living room, almost pushing them so they all fall onto the couch.
Taking a breath before he anxiously speaks, “Ok, stay here and don’t touch, drink or smell anything.” Both hands in front of the boys and then his pointer towards Robin, “Just watch them while I go find Y/N.”
And before Robin can interjet with some snarky comment about not wanting to babysit, Steve is already gone. His shaggy hair disappearing within the crowd.
The party is a madhouse, barely any room for Steve to move around. Wondering how the hell he is going to find you if he can barely see a couple feet in front of him. Checking all the common areas before he reaches the long hallway full of doors that obviously lead to bedrooms.
Steve’s heart drops as he hesitates, not wanting to see if you are in any of the bedrooms. Not completely knowing what he would do if he found you hooking up with someone. But he has to know, so very slowly Steve starts to move down the hallway.
Hand shakily coming up to the first door on his left, taking a deep breath as he tries the knobs, thankfully or not, the door is locked. The tiniest amount of air escapes his expanding lungs as a wash of relief fills his body.
Moving onto the next door a couple of feet on the other side of the hallway. He can see a sliver of light coming from the bottom. Taking another breath as he reaches for the handle, but before he can turn, his attention is brought upon a door opening at the end of the hallway.
And there you are.
Steve barely noticed the way you were fixing yourself until a heavy arm is placed over your shoulder. Jason Carver, smiling wide as he practically asserts dominance over Steve. No words spoken, just the small action of letting Steve know what just happened behind that closed door.
And fuck, did it crush Steve.
Standing there, just staring at the two of you, his mind running wild of the images. Trying his best to hold himself together, hold his head up high until he finally locks eyes with you. A sharp breath and then excusing himself quickly. Regretting this night almost instantly.
Shrugging Jason’s arm off of your shoulder as you make a remark of him being an asshole. Picking up your pace as you chase after Steve. Desperately needing to explain the situation. Continuing to call out his name over the pounding music, jumping above the crowd to get a better look. Pushing, shoving, bumping into anyone who got in your way.
You aren’t going to let Steve go. Not until he understands, not until he hears you out.
But Steve ignores you as you call his name. Ignores the pain that coats your voice over the loud music because he can’t seem to ignore the crushing feeling in his chest. Knowing that this idea of coming to find you, of professing his love for you was so beyond stupid that he almost can’t handle being around himself.
Finally breaking away from the party as you stop for a moment on the porch, your chest heaving rapidly as you see Steve walking across the yard, rubbing his hands up his face and through his hair.
“Please,” Jumping from the stairs to catch up to him, “Please stop.” You reach out to grab his arm but he immediately pulls away from your touch. Your electrifying touch.
“Why Y/N?” He stops, turning around to face you. “Why would I stop? So you can tell me that you just hooked up with Jason Carver?” His words scream anger but his eyes are soft, “You think I really want to hear that?”
Steve’s voice is strained as the tears begin to build, “I like you, Y/N. I really like you. An-and I don’t care if you don’t like me back. I just thought you have to know how I feel about you, because I can’t keep living this way.” And Steve rambles on, like his mind and mouth are no longer connected. And you just stare at him.
Can’t move, can’t talk, as hearing the words fall from his mouth flutter your heart. Obviously you knew Steve liked you but hearing him actually say the words, right in front of you. It feels like a dream.
“I didn’t hook up with Jason. I couldn’t. I couldn’t go through with it.” You explain quickly. “I couldn’t go through with it because I like you too.”
The three words making the air around the two of you heat up.
Steve’s voice is low, steady, “You like me?”
“I just need you to know that before you hate me forever.” Several tears slip down your cheeks, fingers playing with the hem as your shirt.
“I don’t hate you.” He takes a step closer towards you, his cologne filling your nose, “I mean I came to this stupid party because I like you so much.” Steve takes another step, closing the gap between you two even more, “I could never hate you.”
The sound of your heart pumping clogs your ears as your breaths become uneven. The brown haired man is standing just a little too close for you to properly think straight. The effect that Steve Harrington has on you is overwhelming.
“Oh my god just kiss her already.” Robin shouts.
Collectively pulling you and Steve from this little staring contest. A giggle escaping your lips as you lick your lips, eyes shifting from Steve’s eyes to his mouth. His fingers reach out towards you, lightly gripping the hem of your shirt to pull you closer to you. Steve looks into your eyes as his hands cup your face, sinking into his kiss as your lips meet.
“Finally.” Dustin shouts.
Quickly prompting Steve to flip off the younger boy as he continues to kiss you.